Conway glass blowing classes growing interest

CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - If you have family in town and running out of options or places to visit, Conway Glass will blow you away. The schedule for glass blowing classes for the New Year is now posted online.

Classes for the rest of 2015 are already full. But starting January 1st, you can take classes to learn how to make glass ornament, flower, paperweight, or a pumpkin. And new for 2016, you can also learn how to make a candy dish. You can find a list of classes and sign up by going to Conway Glass’ website: http://www.conwayglass.com/

For all the classes, you will have an instructor with you the whole time to make sure you are safe and to help guide you through the process of making your masterpiece. If you’re a first-timer, be sure to wear cotton and closed-toe shoes.

"Our classes are a lot different because we offer one-on-one,” said Barbara Streeter, the vice president of Conway Glass. “So they actually get to talk to the glass blower. So they're a little bit different. You're not in a big group. Although if you want to bring in a group of your friends, we'll put you all in one class."

The shop will be closed for the Christmas holiday but open back up on Tuesday. There are live glass blowing demonstrations at the studio the first Saturday of every month that go from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The demonstrations are supported by the South Carolina Arts Commission.

Streeter says they are seeing a growing interest in the arts over the 30 years they have had a studio in Conway. But they’ve noticed that over the last year, local artists do not actually have anywhere to display their art in Conway.

"They're going to Hartsville. They're going to Grand Strand. They're going to different places. And, of course, they want to go there. But we need those Conway artists in Conway as well. And we need a place to exhibit that art,” said Streeter.

A center for the arts is in Conway’s comprehensive city plan. But leaders are having a hard time agreeing on where it needs to go. You are welcome to attend the public meetings and give your two cents on this. You can find upcoming meeting dates on the Create Conway’s website: http://www.createconway.org/